Tennessee pro-slaughter provision slipped in bill

Posted on March 16, 2012 by Protect Mustangs

Stallion & Sweaty Mustangs Trapped at Calico Roundup (Photo © Cat Kindsfather)

Cross-posted from Animal Law Coalition

Tennessee Rep. Frank Nicely is back this session with another effort to smooth the way for a horse slaughterhouse to open in the state. House Bill 3619 just cleared the House of Representatives Agriculture Committee and could be scheduled for a vote by the full House at any time.

Until the committee hearing the bill simply directed the agriculture commissioner to post and keep current statistics and other information required to be collected about equines and to provide that information upon request to the Tennessee Equine Association.

Harmless enough, except that during the committee hearing on March 13, 2012, Nicely introduced amendments under a new declaration that “the General Assembly intends to encourage the location of equine slaughter and processing facilities in Tennessee that meet…requirements”. The new provisions approved by the committee would make it more difficult to challenge issuance of a permit for a horse slaughter facility by requiring a bond equal to 20% of the estimated cost of building the facility or operational costs, if those can be determined. Venue would be limited to the court where the facility is located and not also where the defendant can be found or does business.

A challenger would be required to pay the slaughter facility’s legal fees and court costs if a court finds the suit was without merit or brought for an “improper purpose” including harassment, delay or interference. If a plaintiff does not prevail ultimately after obtaining an injunction, the plaintiff “is liable for all financial losses the facility suffers” as a result of an injunction halting operations.

The bill is similar to a Montana law passed in 2009.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

H.B. 3619 as amended is on the calendar for a vote by the full House of Representatives on Monday, March 19, 2012. The Senate version, S.B. 3461, has not yet been amended, but committee hearings are scheduled for March 20, 2012 where this bill is likely to be amended with the same pro-slaughter provisions. If you live in Tennessee, find your state legislators here. Write or call now and urge them to vote NO on H.B. 3619/S.B. 3461.

From: http://www.animallawcoalition.com/horse-slaughter/article/1973

A big thank you to Laura Allen for this information!

Matthew Rockwell painting of Elizabeth Taylor ~ A fundraiser for outreach work

Posted on March 4, 2012 by Protect Mustangs

Fundraiser for Protect Mustangs ~ Matthew Rockwell portrait of Elizabeth Taylor, signed 1964.

We are pleased to announce the stunning Matthew Rockwell portrait of Elizabeth Taylor was donated to Protect Mustangs to fundraise for our outreach work educating the public about the mustang crisis. It is signed by the artist, the nephew of Norman Rockwell, and dated 1964. Please contact us if you would like additional information about the painting or information about the requested donation. You may also email us at Contact@ProtectMustangs.org .

Legally BLM can sell wild horses by the truckloads

Posted on January 2, 2012 by Protect Mustangs

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has the legal right–under the 2004 Burns Amendment passed by Congress–to dispose of America’s legendary wild horses through “unlimited sales”. People buying truckloads of wild horses generally sell them to slaughter. In August 2011 one such truckload was busted on it’s way to slaughter.

BLM claims it does not sell wild horses to slaughter directly at this time. . . In effect, the middle man buys the truckloads of wild horses and sells them to the slaughterhouse.

It’s time for more eyes on roundups and more eyes on wild horses in holding.

The public wants to re-protect America’s wild horses especially with horse slaughter plants scheduled to reopen in the U.S.A.

Ask Congress to STOP the roundup$ now.

BLM humanewashing goes viral

Posted on December 10, 2011 by Protect Mustangs

Similar to greenwashing to make something appear green that is far from it, Humanewashing tries to make a cruel and inhumane situation seem “humane”.

One can observe radical spin doctoring in the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) refusal to take full responsibility regarding their inhumane roundups that traumatize, injure and kill American wild horses and burros–our living treasures of the West. Keep in mind the BLM is paying PR people to invent spin to fool the public, government and lawmakers . . . How do you feel knowing that BLM spin is paid for with your tax dollars?

Find the BLM’s humanewashing in the Washington Post article below and we will post your comments. We are very thankful the Associated Press reported on the issue.

BLM: Nev. horse roundup included use of electric prods, whips, but treatment was not inhumane

What has happened to government accountability and transparency?

First death at Calico roundup ~ RIP Old Gold

Posted on November 23, 2011 by Protect Mustangs

Protect Mustangs is a California-based preservation group whose mission is to inform the public about the mustang crisis, protect America’s wild horses on the range and help those who lost their freedom.

Petition reaches 800 signatures

Posted on November 22, 2011 by Protect Mustangs

Let’s keep spreading the word to our friends at home and around the world who love America’s wild horses and want to stop the dangerous Calico roundup.

http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-calico-roundup

Send your friends the petition and post it on your FB wall. Find creative ways to get the word out and let us know what works!

Thank you so much for your help to save the mustangs.

In gratitude,
Anne Novak

Protect Mustangs™

Forever wild and free™

Tag Archives: horses